17 replies to this topic

[Outlaw Lures]

I just built my first fluid bed however I can't get the paint to "fluidize". I keep getting little geysers in my paint. I have no air leaks, I'm using a 20 gallon top fin aquarium pump, my cup and base are 2" in dia and epoxied to a lexan base so there are NO leaks there. However I am using an industrial grade powder paint that seems to be much more fine than the pro-tec type paints. This paint difference may be the only culprit I can think of as it may not "fluidize". Any thoughts or suggestions before I scrap this bed and go back to pp airbrushing my heads?

[Jig Man]

What are you using as filters? I use brown paper bags, coffee filters, and vacuum cleaner bags.

Have you tried stirring the paint and turning down the air?

[piratefishing]

Jig Man, on 17 January 2012 - 09:09 AM, said:

What are you using as filters? I use brown paper bags, coffee filters, and vacuum cleaner bags.

Have you tried stirring the paint and turning down the air?

I have used coffee filters (multiple ones) and cannot seem to prevent the "volcanoes" either. I will stir the powder and it bubbles for awhile but stops shortly thereafter. I cannot seem to get mine to consistently "boil" either. I may try brown paper bags today. Anyone have any other suggestions?

Edited by piratefishing, 17 January 2012 - 01:16 PM.

[Outlaw Lures]

Jig Man...I've used coffee filters and brown paper shopping bags. When i stir I get a little boil but it quickly stops. When I first turn on the air and start to slowly open the valve I see the power begin to rise. Then all of a sudden it is like the air finds one hole then it all stops. Some times when the air valve is slightly open the powder looks as if I just fluffed it but I can not get the full suspended fluid effect. I will say that most of the eruptions occur on the sides of the powder and not in the middle.

[smalljaw]

what you're experiencing happens with certain colors. For me, green pumpkin, and watermelon are two that will do that, what I do is exactly what you do. When I'm painting I'll heat my jig and before I dip I give the fluid bed a little swirl and then dip, no problem. I think it may have something to do with density because it seems some powders feel heavier than others and coincidentally those heavier paints are the ones that end up with volcanos. Colors like black, chartreuse, and yellow work great and "boil" with no problem so I know it isn't the fluid bed. I think the only thing you can really do is make the most of it, even though it doesn't look like it, it still gets fluffed up pretty good which you know because a quick swirl and the powder is fluid again instantly, it may take an extra two seconds to paint a jig but the important part is that the paint still goes on really well and if it takes a quick swirl to get it that way then I'll do it because right now there doesn't seem to be any other fix.

[Outlaw Lures]

Thanks smallijaw...I'm going to give it a shot again tonight. Yes I'm using a paint that seems to be denser than most of the pro-tec paints I've purchased in the past. If it works then rock and roll!

[smalljaw]

Outlaw Lures, on 17 January 2012 - 04:11 PM, said:

Thanks smallijaw...I'm going to give it a shot again tonight. Yes I'm using a paint that seems to be denser than most of the pro-tec paints I've purchased in the past. If it works then rock and roll!

Outlaw, just from what I read I'd say that you shouldn't have any trouble, just about everybody that has used a fluid bed has run into a color that produced the volcanos and all you need to do is give it the quick swirl as I said and dip, trust me it will work like normal with the only difference is the swirl before you dip. Good Luck and let us know how it turns out.

[Saugerman]

I to, am having the same problem with the color, green pumpkin,Iv'e just started using a fluid bed ,when you talk about swirling before you paint,do you mean swirl the bait through the paint,or take something and stir or swirl around in the paint before dipping?

[sdsaw]

Saugerman, on 17 January 2012 - 09:46 PM, said:

I to, am having the same problem with the color, green pumpkin,Iv'e just started using a fluid bed ,when you talk about swirling before you paint,do you mean swirl the bait through the paint,or take something and stir or swirl around in the paint before dipping?

I think he is talking about lifting the fluid bed up in the air and give it a quick swirl to loosen the powder then dip your jig.
That's what works for me

[smalljaw]

Saugerman, on 17 January 2012 - 09:46 PM, said:

I to, am having the same problem with the color, green pumpkin,Iv'e just started using a fluid bed ,when you talk about swirling before you paint,do you mean swirl the bait through the paint,or take something and stir or swirl around in the paint before dipping?

Exactly what sdsaw said! Just pick up the fluid bed and swirl it and the paint will instantly fluidize and then dip but you need to be quick about it, you can gice the bed a swirl and put it down and then go to your oven and take out a jig, that isn't the way. What you do is take your jig out of the oven and right before you dip give the bed a swirl and then dip and your done, perfect.

[ROWINGADUBAY]

Do you guys have your aerator mounted to the base of the fluid bed I found the vibration from the aerator to help.

[bass100]

The green pumpkin that I use is one of my easiest colors. I get it from powder by the pound.

[mark poulson]

ROWINGADUBAY, on 18 January 2012 - 01:51 PM, said:

Do you guys have your aerator mounted to the base of the fluid bed I found the vibration from the aerator to help.

What kind of aerator are you talking about?

[Outlaw Lures]

<sup>SmalliJaw,

You were right it worked perfectly. It was much better than dipping in the can. I can tell you this however. hamertone paint is not meant for dipping. It actually goes on too thick and you do not get the hammertone effect. You will get a thick coat of the toughest paint with a cool calico look but you will not get the textured effect. Solid colors are much better in the fluid bed. Thanks to all for the help!</sup>

[BLT]

My Pink and Pearl are my issue paints. I don't pick up the fluid bed though, I just use a plastic fork and give it a quick swirl, then dip.

[ROWINGADUBAY]

mark poulson, on 19 January 2012 - 08:17 AM, said:

What kind of aerator are you talking about?

An aerator for an aquarium. I have mine mounted to the piece of wood that the fluid bed is built on. I tried it with and without it mounted and it seem to works better with it mounted I also think a small motor mounted to the base of the fluid bed with a off balanced wieght that would vibrate the fluid bed cup would solve all the valcano problems. This is just a theory but if I have some sparetime I might give it a try I was also thinking of a small speaker mounted inside a piece of pvc would cause the powder to float without any air pump or compressor .

Edited by ROWINGADUBAY, 20 January 2012 - 03:11 AM.

[mark poulson]

Thanks for the info.
Maybe just put your fluid bed on top of a boom box playing heavy metal. Hahaha

[weighinalimit]

ROWINGADUBAY, on 20 January 2012 - 03:06 AM, said:

An aerator for an aquarium. I have mine mounted to the piece of wood that the fluid bed is built on. I tried it with and without it mounted and it seem to works better with it mounted I also think a small motor mounted to the base of the fluid bed with a off balanced wieght that would vibrate the fluid bed cup would solve all the valcano problems. This is just a theory... .

You are dead on the money! I have a CSI single dip bed & it has a vibe motor in it, my DIY fluid bed gave me fits til I realized the ONLY difference was vibration. Set me DIY on my scroll saw, turned them both on......PERFECTION!!!!!! No more volcanoes with any color!